FAQs

What are Allergic and Nonallergic Nasal Congestions?

Allergic and non-allergic congestion is the uncomfortable feeling of being “stuffed up.” Allergic congestion is caused by allergies to food, chemicals or other substances, while non-allergic congestion is caused by a common cold or the flu.

What are Respiratory Masks?

Masks attached to a patient’s nose or mouth help supply positive pressure ventilatory support to the airways.

CPAP can be supplied by attaching a mask to a conventional intensive care unit (ICU) ventilator or by using a simpler device designed solely for this purpose. This will raise functional residual capacity (which may reduce the inspiratory work to breathe in some disease states), and it can also be used to “splint open” collapsing/obstructed upper airways in disease states such as obstructive sleep apnea.

BIPAP can also be supplied by attaching a mask to a conventional ICU ventilator and generally using a time cycled, pressure targeted mode (pressure assist control). The flow cycled, pressure targeted mode, pressure support, is not appropriate under these circumstances because mask leak may disrupt the ICU ventilator breath cycling algorithm. Simpler ventilators designed solely for mask application generally also supply pressure assist control. These devices often also provide pressure support by using special leak compensation mechanisms. BIPAP can not only accomplish the goals of CPAP noted above but can also further reduce inspiratory muscle loads through the application of additional inspiratory pressure.

What are the common respiratory disorders?

Sleep apnea, infant jaundice and apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are just some of the respiratory afflictions that affect the human body.

What is Apnea?

Apnea literally means “no breathing”. When breathing stops for a short period of time, it is called an apnea.

What is Asthma?

If your doctor has told you that you have asthma, you probably have difficulty breathing and often cough or feel short of breath. Your doctor may hear wheezing when he or she listens to your chest with a stethoscope. Wheezing is a whistling sound that can be heard as you breathe. Irritants in the air cause your lungs to become inflamed and your airway to tighten, trapping air in your lungs. This produces an asthmatic episode or “attack.”

What is Bi-PAP?

Bi-PAP stands for Bilevel Positive Airway Pressure the use of Bi-PAP machines is often called non-invasive face mask ventilation. This is because the trachea is not incubated so there is less trauma to the airway and more importantly there is a lower incidence of nosocomial infections.

What is C-PAP?

C-PAP, stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. Continuous means that the pressure delivered to the patient is the same for any given breath. C-PAP can actually increase the work of breathing and be lethal to an ALS patient As the use of Bi-PAP machines has increased, their cost has gone down. There are also more types of masks available and this has improved patient comfort and compliance.

What is Infant Apnea?

Newborn babies go through many changes in the first few weeks of life, including significant brain development. Some babies, especially those born premature, may need special care while the part of the brain that controls breathing continues to grow. These infants could suffer from a condition known as infant apnea.

All infants have some apnea, but when the apnea is long or if it happens frequently, there may be a problem.

What is Insomnia?

Insomnia can be a disease, or most often, it is a symptom of another underlying disease. People who suffer from insomnia have trouble falling asleep, wake frequently during the night, have difficulty returning to sleep, wake too early in the morning and find sleep unrefreshing.

Sleep experts consider stress the most common cause of short-term sleeping difficulties. Forty-eight percent of Americans report occasional insomnia, while 22 percent experience insomnia every night or almost every night. Women are 1.3 times more likely to report insomnia than men. People over age 65 are 1.5 times more likely to complain of insomnia than younger people. Divorced, widowed and separated people, on average, report more episodes of insomnia than married or single people.

Certain factors make individuals more susceptible to insomnia. These factors include advanced age (60 years or older), female gender and a history of depression. Other factors such as stress, side effects of medicine, and anxiety coupled with age, gender, or depression may increase the likelihood of insomnia.

What is Non-Invasive Ventilation?

Noninvasive ventilation is the delivery of ventilatory support without the need for an invasive artificial airway. Such ventilation has a role in the management of acute or chronic respiratory failure in many patients and may have a role for some patients with heart failure. Noninvasive ventilation can often eliminate the need for intubation or tracheostomy and preserve normal swallowing, speech, and cough mechanisms. The use of noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation (NPPV) in acute hospital settings and at home has been steadily increasing.

What is Obstructive Sleep Apnea?

People with asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, occupational lung disease, lung cancer, cystic fibrosis, or congestive heart failure may use oxygen therapy. There are three common ways of providing oxygen therapy.

Compressed Gas – Oxygen is stored under pressure in a cylinder equipped with a regulator that controls the flow rate. Because the flow of oxygen out of the cylinder is constant, an oxygen-conserving device may be attached to the system to avoid waste. This device releases the gas only when you inhale and cuts it off when you exhale. Oxygen can be provided in a small cylinder that can be carried with you, but the large tanks are heavy and are only suitable for stationary use.

Liquid Oxygen – Oxygen is stored as a very cold liquid in a vessel very similar to a thermos. When released, the liquid converts to a gas and you breathe it in just like the compressed gas. This storage method takes up less space than the compressed gas cylinder. Liquid oxygen is more expensive than the compressed gas, and the vessel vents when not in use. An oxygen-conserving device may be built into the vessel to conserve the oxygen.

Oxygen Concentrator – This is an electrically powered device that separates the oxygen out of the air, concentrates it, and stores it. This system has a number of advantages because it doesn’t have to be re-supplied and it is not as costly as liquid oxygen. Extra tubing permits the user to move around with minimal difficulty. Small, portable systems have been developed that afford even greater mobility.

What is Oxygen therapy?

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a life threatening and life altering condition that occurs when a person repeatedly stops breathing during sleep because his or her airway collapses and prevents air from getting into the lungs. Sleep is repeatedly disrupted by apneas, depriving OSA sufferers from the deepest, most restful stages of sleep. Apneas may occur more than 20 times every hour. A person with OSA never feels rested because they never have normal sleep. The lack of sleep affects daytime alertness and one’s ability to function well throughout the day. The low oxygen levels associated with OSA, and the effort required to breathe during the night, put a strain on the cardiovascular system. Ultimately, OSA takes its toll on the individual’s quality of life.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a life threatening and life altering condition that occurs when a person repeatedly stops breathing during sleep because his or her airway collapses and prevents air from getting into the lungs. Sleep is repeatedly disrupted by apneas, depriving OSA sufferers from the deepest, most restful stages of sleep. Apneas may occur more than 20 times every hour. A person with OSA never feels rested because they never have normal sleep. The lack of sleep affects daytime alertness and one’s ability to function well throughout the day. The low oxygen levels associated with OSA, and the effort required to breathe during the night, put a strain on the cardiovascular system. Ultimately, OSA takes its toll on the individual’s quality of life.

What is Sinusitis?

Sinusitis is a bacterial infection of the sinus cavities. Sinus cavities are hollow air spaces in the skull that open into the nose for exchange of air and mucous. Infection of the sinuses interferes with normal sinus drainage and causes excess mucous production. Sinusitis can either be acute or chronic.

What is the difference between acute and chronic sinusitis?

Acute sinusitis frequently occurs after a common cold and lasts two to three weeks. If the symptoms occur three or more times per year or last longer than three weeks, it is considered chronic sinusitis.

How do I know if I am suffering from sleep apnea?

Common symptoms of sleep apnea include the following:
Waking up with a very sore or dry throat.
Loud snoring.
Occasionally waking up with a choking or gasping sensation.
Sleepiness or lack of energy during the day.
Sleepiness while driving.
Morning headaches.
Restless sleep.
Additionally, you can also take our symptoms test here,

If you suspect that you may be suffering from sleep apnea, consult a sleep physician at the earliest. You may be advised to take a sleep study to monitor how you sleep and breathe at night. The doctor will then be able to use this data to suggest suitable treatment as required. You can book an appointment with a sleep physician online,

How long will it take to adjust to a CPAP device?

It should take a week to get accustomed to using a CPAP device while sleeping. For some it may take a little longer. If uneasiness persists for too long, you can consult with us to have a technician check the CPAP settings or suggest a different mask.

About MRIPL

Medical Resources India Pvt. Ltd. provides respiratory and sleep solutions that improve the quality of life.